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Savaii Island, Western Samoa, ranks as the largest Polynesian island outside of Hawaii or New Zealand. Five daily flights from Apia to Moata Airport (Salelologa on the south eastern point of Savai'i) take just 20 minutes. The airport at Asau on north western Savai'i is dysfunctional. Slow ferries depart from Mulifanua on the western side of Upolu 3-times per day and travel across the 18km straight separating the two islands arriving in Salelologa after one and a half hours at sea, costing just ST$7 one way. The fast ferry takes 45-minutes and also departs Mulifanua Wharf three times a day. Buses on Savai'i are even more irregular than on Upolu making it unreliable to get about using public transport, and taxis are expensive and hard to find outside of Salelologa and Asau. The best bet is to take the Green Turtle Tours which offers a hop on hop off package, or to hire a car and do it yourself.
Savai'i Travel Guide
All tourists arrive in Savai'i at Salelologa Town (wharf and airport) on the south-east coast. There are several nice places to stay just outside town with access to the stunning Taufua Crater Rainforest Preserve. The best surf in Savaii is on the east coast of the Taufua peninsula at Ananoa Beach, particular when the big winter swells arrive (Dec to Apr). The east coast of Savaii is the most populated with lots of villages, churches and the picturesque Lano beach which has good snorkelling and summer surfing.
more on Salelologa and the East Coast
Manase in the north of the island is the premier beach hang out with a handful of independent beach fales to choose from and a couple of nice resorts. This is the place to go to meet fellow travellers. The beach here is attractive and good for swimming and snorkelling.
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The western tip of Savai'i has several stunning beaches, notably at Falealupo-tai with its spectacular setting. Nearby is the popular Falealupo rainforest canopy walkway. This is a remote region where you can really escape from the world.
more on the West Coast
The south coast has few villages and lots of open space. There's a nice beach at Satuiatua, the tapa cloth making village, and a little further along the coast is the "must-see" Alofaaga blowholes and coastal walk.
more on the South Coast
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